Breaking down and reducing particles in a liquid medium or slurry is referred to by two different terms, milling or grinding. There is a minimal difference between the two terms and it depends on what area of the world you are located in or what industry you are working in. Both are used to describe the process of taking particles and decreasing them down to micro and nanometer sizes.

Milling is more often used when referring to de-agglomeration of particles and dispersing them in a liquid medium. To keep them from reforming into large clumps after they have been milled you need to have the right formulation so that the particles are coated. Paints, inks, cosmetics, and coatings industry use this term because their products are more likely to create agglomerates.

Grinding is more often used to reference the process of taking a particle and shearing it down to actually reduce the size. Pharmaceutical, agrochemistry, metals and electronics are some of the industries that are more likely to use this term. The reduction of particles down to nanometers can produce more durable products, longer lasting, and on occasion a byproduct.

Custom Milling and Consulting Inc. (CMC) manufactures machines that are engineered to increase dispersion and reduce particles in a range of viscosities. We have been in business for more than a decade and continue to be leaders in the milling and grinding industry. Our staff of engineers and technicians has more than 25 years of experience manufacturing specialty machines. Our line of machines includes horizontal mills, basket mills, in-line rotor stator and more.

Horizontal Mill – Supermill Plus

Our horizontal media mill uses fluidizer discs that provide attrition to media to process the materials that are fed into the chamber. It has been designed with a front screen to keep the media in the chamber as the material is fed out of the chamber. To keep from overheating from all the energy produced, a cooling jacket is around the entire chamber.

Basket Mill

Is designed with two shafts one with a propeller on one end and the other has pins on it that is enclosed by a screen containing media. As they spin at various rates the liquid is fed through the screen and the particles are broken down by the media. This creates a vortex that pushes the material to the bottom of the tank then recirculates to the top and trough the screen again. With a basket mill you can add materials to be blended in with the product while it is reducing particles at the same time.

In-Line Rotor Stator – SHRED

This machine is equipped with a small cooling chamber that houses a rotor stator configuration that is designed with very close tolerance between them. The interior of the chamber is close to the stator minimizing the interior space, and the compact area allows for the product to have little space to move around forcing it be fed through the rotor stator as it shears the materials.

To speak to a representative about our milling and grinding machines contact Custom Milling and Consulting, Inc. at sales@cmcmilling.com and check out the planetary mixers and other equipment we offer.